Evan Jimenez in his baseball uniform and within the hospital following the March 30, 2017 beating. Photograph: https://www.gofundme.com/evans-medical-expensesrecover-fund

Investigators assume the 15-yr-previous highschool athlete severely crushed in north San Pedro might have been the harmless sufferer of a gang initiation ritual, a sheriff’s sergeant stated.

“Improper place. Fallacious time,” Sgt. Ricky Osburn of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division’s Lomita station was quoted as saying Tuesday. “He has no legal historical past. We’ve had no contact with him. Simply looks like a great, regular teenage child.”

A couple of hours after San Pedro Excessive Faculty’s junior varsity baseball group defeated Gardena Excessive on Thursday, the 15-yr-previous pitcher was strolling via an alley close to his residence in an unincorporated space close to San Pedro when he was confronted by two males. One requested the place he was from — a typical gang problem.

The teenager responded that he wasn’t concerned with any gangs, informed the Los Angeles Occasions.

Investigators don’t assume Evan was focused for private causes however might have discovered himself caught up in a gang initiation ritual, Osburn stated.

The teenager suffered mind swelling and fractures to his jaw and face. He’s in secure however critical situation at Harbor UCLA Medical Middle, Osburn stated. He regained consciousness Monday and was respiration with out assistance from machines, household pal Tammy Meyers informed The Occasions. “It’s large progress. It’s nice information,” she stated.

Osburn stated the attackers might have been making an attempt to earn membership in an area road gang referred to as Rancho San Pedro. The gang’s graffiti marked the alleyway the place Evan was crushed.

A freshman at the highschool who pitches and performs left area, Evan had been strolling a good friend house shortly earlier than the assault, Osburn stated.

“He was simply strolling by means of the gang’s space, they usually confronted him,” Osburn stated.

Police wouldn’t have an outline of the suspects, however Osburn advised The Occasions that almost seventy five individuals had referred to as the Lomita station to supply details about the assault.

—Metropolis Information Service

>> Need to learn extra tales like this? Get our Free Day by day Newsletters Right here!